CADWorx User Blog and Webinar Series

CAD Workstation recommendations

Hardware recommendations for a CAD Workstation that will utilize 3D Modeling in CADWorx Plant.

First off… if you plan on utilizing CADWorx in 3D, you need a system that won’t limit your creativity. Also, I recommend using dual screens.  You will need to get comfortable in using dual screens, preferably 19, or 20 inch LCD screens. (no widescreens)

That said...

If you run AutoCAD 2007, or 2008, you will notice the enormous amount of resources that AutoCAD demands of your system.  Here is my recommended list of the individual components that will meet or surpass the minimum requirements for AutoCAD and CADWorx.  I will list first, a system for a good budget, then one with no limit. (Dated: January, 2008)

• Processor – Dual Core 2 dou (E6850) 3.0ghz (supports 1333mhz FSB)
• Ram - 4gb (ddr3-1333)
• HDD – WD Raptor 150gb 10,000 rpm (SATA)
• Graphics Card – Nvidia Quadro FX1700
• CD/DVD – Liteon DVD/CD writer (SATA)
• MB – A motherboard that supports FSB of 1333mhz (ex.ASUS P5K64 WS)
• OS – Windows XP Pro (don’t trust Vista)
• Monitors - 19” or 20” that support DVI
• (Price range: $3,000 -$3,500)

• Processor – Xeon Quad Core 3.0ghz (supports 1333 FSB)
• Ram – 4gb (ddr3-1333)
• HDD -  WD Raptor 150gb 10,000 rpm (SATA)
• Graphics Card – Nvidia Quadro FX5600
• CD/DVD – Liteon DVD/CD writer (SATA)
• MB – A motherboard that supports FSB of 1333mhz and Quad Xeon (ex. SuperMicro X7DVL-L)
• OS – Windows XP Pro (again, don’t trust Vista)
• Monitors – 19” or 20” that support DVI
• (Price range: $5,000 - $8,000)

Steve Lozano

Sr. Piping Designer/Systems Administrator

Nicholas Consulting Group, Inc.

Microsoft Certified Professional

CompTIA A+ Certified IT Technician

How CADWorx uses the data file to draw shapes

CADWorx Plant ships with an Example.spc that has one entry for every component.  The data files used with the Example.spc are located in the ..\CADWorxPlant\LIB_I\EXA\ directory.

The ZIP EXE download link (http://www.coade.com/cadworx/examplefiles.exe) has an updated set of these files and includes a drawing for each data file.  Each drawing explains in more detail how the data file columns are used to generate the component graphics.

These drawings may help in understanding how CADWorx Plant uses the data file to draw the shape.

The ..\CADWorxPlant\Spec\DataFile.tbl file also has a listing of all data file columns used with different component type.

Readme.htm

Have you ever wondered how some people can find out the new commands so fast? Well, it's really no secret. Coade has always documented all the new features for each release and build in a file called Readme.htm. This file is always located in the root folder of the application. If CADWorx Plant 2008 is installed on your local C: drive then you will find the file in C:\CADWorx Plant 2008\readme.htm. Below is a cutout section of the readme file showing what was added and what's new in CADWorx Plant 2008 and its latest builds. Not only does the readme.htm document all the new features but, also, shows the new features added to previous releases.

AutoCAD DISPSILH and ISOLINES Settings

The AutoCAD settings of DISPSILH and ISOLINES control the display of AutoCAD solids.  The ideal setting for viewing piping components is:  DISPSILH = 1 and ISOLINES = 0.  These values can be set at the AutoCAD command line or from the AutoCAD OPTIONS dialog.

Start CADWorx with Autodesk vertical product

To start CADWorx with Autodesk vertical product, follow the steps below:

Step 1:  Start Autodesk vertical product from the desktop icon or from the Windows Start Menu.
Step 2:  Add the CADWorx ..\Support\ directory to the Support File Search Path
Step 3:  Exit out of Autodesk vertical product.
Step 4:  Start Autodesk vertical product again from the same icon as Step 1.  CADWorx will now start with the Autodesk vertical product.

After installing or updating CADWorx, the pull-down menu is not visible

To re-load the "Plant" menu from CADWorx Plant Professional / CADWorx Plant, run the command LOADMENUPLANT

To re-load the "P&ID" menu from CADWorx P&ID Professional / CADWorx P&ID, run the command LOADMENUFLOW

To re-load the "Equipment" menu from CADWorx Equipment, run the command LOADMENUEQUIP

To re-load the "Steel" menu from CADWorx Steel Professional / CADWorx Steel, run the command LOADMENUSTEEL